Victoria Beckham’s fashion show at Paris Fashion Week was briefly disrupted by an animal rights group called PETA, who invaded the runway to urge the designer to stop using leather in her collections. The security guards acted quickly to escort the protesters out of the venue.
The protest took place on Friday at the Grand Palais, where the designer was showcasing her autumn/winter 2024 collection. The show featured coats, dresses, trousers, and accessories made of leather, wool, and silk.
PETA, which stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, said it was targeting Beckham because she uses leather in her designs, despite being fur-free and banning exotic skins from her brand.
According to BBC, the demonstrators wore white T-shirts that read “Animals aren’t fabric” and “Turn your back on animal skins”. They also held signs that said “Viva Vegan Leather”.
The group claimed that leather production is cruel, polluting, and wasteful, and that there are many ethical and eco-friendly alternatives available, such as vegan leather made from plants, fruits, and fungi. The statement issued by its European president, Mimi Bekhechi, goes like this:
“No garment or accessory is worth violently slaughtering and skinning a sensitive and intelligent animal. We are urging Victoria Beckham to turn instead to the ethical and eco-friendly innovations available today, such as high-end leather made from apples, grapes, pineapples, mushrooms and more.”
PETA is known for its disruptive demonstrations and campaigns against the use of animal products in the fashion industry. The group regularly protests at global fashion events, such as New York, London, and Milan, and targets designers and celebrities who wear fur, leather, wool, silk, or feathers.
Victoria Beckham, who appeared on crutches at the end of the show due to a foot injury, did not comment on the incident.
